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Head Start

Head Start in Ocala, FL

Head Start is free preschool for children 3 to 5 from families who qualify, and Early Head Start serves babies and toddlers. Families qualify by income, or when they receive public assistance, a child is in foster care or the family has no stable home.

Head Start and Early Head Start centers in Ocala
11
daycare centers
11
take infants
10
State license records

All Head Start and Early Head Start centers in Ocala

Showing 1 to 11 of 11

Providers on paid plans are listed first, then the sites on the federal Head Start list, then A to Z by name. We do not rank daycares.

  6. Child care centerHead Start

    Kids Academy

    4.0· 11 reviews

    2514 Ne 12th Ct, Ocala, FL

    Head StartInfants to school-ageAccepts subsidy
    CallDirections
How this list is made: Ocala daycares where the Office of Head Start lists a Head Start or Early Head Start site, plus those whose name, website or state record says Head Start. Head Start programs also run classrooms in public schools and home-based services that may not be on this list; the Office of Head Start's locator lists every site.

Head Start

Head Start and Early Head Start in Ocala

Head Start centers (ages 3 to 5)
8
Free preschool for children from families who qualify.
Early Head Start centers (birth to 3)
5
For babies and toddlers, and many programs also serve expectant families.
on the federal Head Start site list
7
The Office of Head Start lists a site at these daycares. The others say Head Start in their name, on their website or on their state record.
How to apply for Head Start (Office of Head Start)

Head Start sites: Office of Head Start, Head Start service locations (Administration for Children and Families), 2026.

Cost

What daycare costs in Ocala

Full-time infant care in Marion County has a median of $185 a week at a center and $180 at a home daycare. A year at the center median is 17% of the county's median household income. Each daycare sets its own price, so call to ask.

Infant

Center$185
Home daycare$180

Toddler

Center$155
Home daycare$132

Preschool

Center$142
Home daycare$125

Marion County median, full time, per week. Source: U.S. Department of Labor, National Database of Childcare Prices, 2022.

Before you enroll

Applying to Head Start in Ocala

  1. 1

    Check that you qualify

    Families qualify by income, or when they receive TANF, SSI or SNAP, a child is in foster care or the family has no stable home. Programs may take some other children too.

  2. 2

    Have your papers ready

    Ask the program which papers to bring, such as proof of your child's age and of your family's income or benefits.

  3. 3

    Ask about the waitlist

    There are not enough places for every child who qualifies. If no place is open now, ask to join the waitlist.

  4. 4

    Ask about the day

    Some programs run full days, some part days or the school year only, and some visit families at home. Ask which fits your family.

Nearby

Head Start in nearby towns

Hawthorne3 · 30 miGainesville11 · 36 miApopka6 · 51 miSanford9 · 56 miOrlando45 · 62 miDaytona Beach4 · 66 miSt Augustine5 · 69 miKissimmee7 · 74 miLake City3 · 76 mi

More in this area

More daycare in Ocala

All daycares in Ocala100Head Start in FloridaInfant Daycare in Ocala71Preschools & Pre-K in Ocala85Affordable Daycare in Ocala59In-Home Daycares in Ocala19Christian Preschools & Church Daycares in Ocala21Early Morning Daycare in Ocala29After-School Care in Ocala80VPK Providers in Ocala49

Questions

Questions

How many Head Start and Early Head Start centers are in Ocala?

11 Head Start and Early Head Start centers are listed in Ocala. Head Start programs also run classrooms in public schools and home-based services that may not be on this list; the Office of Head Start's locator lists every site.

Who qualifies for Head Start?

Children from families whose income is at or below the federal poverty guidelines, families that receive TANF, SSI or SNAP, children in foster care and children experiencing homelessness. Programs may also take some children who do not meet these rules, so ask.

Is Head Start free?

Yes. Head Start and Early Head Start cost nothing for families who qualify.

What ages does Head Start serve?

Head Start preschool is for children 3 to 5. Early Head Start is for babies and toddlers from birth to 3, and many programs also serve expectant families.

How do I apply for Head Start?

Call or visit the Head Start program near you; it explains the papers you need. If no place is open now, ask to join the waitlist. The Office of Head Start's apply page links to its national locator.

Are these daycares licensed in Florida?

Every listing here comes from the Florida child care license records.